Wiesbaden's beloved Igstadt barbecue site stays open with stricter fire rules

A local institution survives—but with tougher rules. Can Wiesbaden balance tradition and conservation as wildfire threats grow?

, and Administrator

2026 April 25 . 4:06 AM

1 min read

The image shows a barbecue grill with meat cooking on it in the grass, surrounded by trees in the... — The image shows a barbecue grill with meat cooking on it in the grass, surrounded by trees in the background. On the right side of the image, there is a table with a bowl and other objects placed on it.

Wiesbaden's beloved Igstadt barbecue site stays open with stricter fire rules

Concerns about a potential closure of the Igstadt barbecue area appear to have stemmed from a misunderstanding in communications with the Darmstadt Regional Council. "The barbecue site in Igstadt is not located within the Wickerbach nature reserve and therefore does not need to be abandoned," Wiesbaden's Mayor Christiane Hinninger has now clarified. She noted that the area where the barbecue site is situated was already excluded when the nature reserve was designated in 1992.

Balancing Leisure and Conservation

Hinninger described the Igstadt barbecue site as an "institution," a "vital meeting place," and "a fixed part of the local leisure offerings." She emphasized how important it was to her that the site remain in use—"responsibly and with consideration for nature." The mayor expressed confidence that recreational use and the needs of nature and species conservation could be successfully reconciled.

The Parks and Gardens Department, supported by the Environmental Agency, will now review and implement measures to better harmonize leisure activities with conservation goals. Existing safety rules will remain in place: barbecuing is restricted during prolonged dry periods, and open fires are prohibited at the forest-located site once the wildfire warning reaches level 3. Additionally, smoking is banned in the forest year-round.